Regulating system.



R. W- ARMSTRONG.

REGULATlNG SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I0. I910.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

lA/VE/VTOR UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

RALPH W. ARMSTRONG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIG-NOR TO THE SAFETY CAR HEATING & LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW J REGULATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Application filed November 10, 1910. Serial No. 591,588.

This invention relates to regulating apparatus. v

One, of the objects thereof is to provide simple and efi'ective means for regulating a function'of an electric current.

Another object is to provide sensitive and accurate voltage regulating apparatus of reliable and durable construction.

Other objects are to provide a device of simple construction whereby apparatus of the above general naturemay be rendered more certain and effective.

Other objects will be in part obvious and part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangementof parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

,In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of many possible embodiments of this invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the regulating apparatus connected to control the voltage of a lamp circuit; and Fig. 2 is a detail view'of the magnetic brake. j I

Similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings and specification. v

.It may here be noted as conducive to an understanding of certain basic principles .of this invention that in theclass of voltage regulating apparatus in which a so-calledabnormality of potential, although pilot is employed, when there arises a slight the effect of this may be multiplied in the regulating apparatus, there is not, generally speaking, anmaximum change of current in theactuating magnet of the regulator. It is obvious that with a greater variation in the disksll in electrical contact 'vide a ball and socket potential to be regulated, there would be a greater change in the pilot controlled coil. Accordingly, with a slight change to which the apparatus must be sensitive'for accurate regulation, the regulator is operated at a relatively low speed and the action of the apparatus is accordingly defective. The present invention eliminates the above and other disadvantages by treating the subject along a radically different line.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents any suitable dynamo, preferably of theconstant'potential type. Leads2 and 3, constltuting the main circuit of the dynamo,

supply'current to lamps or other translation devices 4 connectedin parallel between i said leads. A secondary battery 5 isbridged across the main circuit in a manner to be 7 charged by the dynamo and to aid in supplying current to the lamps. With the apparatus and devices connected in the man-- ner described, it is desirable to maintain a substantially constant voltage at the lamps, and in order that this result may be effectively and simply attained, a suitable resistance device 6 is connected in the lead 3 of the main circuit in series with the lamps and between the same and the storage battery. Suitable switches may be included in the circuit as at 7 and 8, whereby the lamps maybe completely disconnected from the source of current or be connected to receive a pair of metal plates 9 and 10, to which the lead 3 is connected, and disposed between said plates are a plurality of carbon with each other and with themetal plates. Another metal plate -12,spaced from'the plate 9 by insulating means 13, is formed with a hole 14 at its center, through which the v toggle member 15 passes, the hole being of sufficient di-. ameter to permit oscillating movement. The outerend of the member 15 is threaded to receive the nut.16, which is formed to pro joint with the plate 12. The member 15 extends through alining openings in thecarbon disks and the plate 10, the openings being large enough to permit oscillation of the member without contact with the edges thereof. A lever 17 constituting the other member of the toggle is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner as at 18, and is provided at its opposite end with an armature 19 formed and adapted to coact with the pole piece 20 of an electro-magnet, the coil of which is denoted by the numeral 21. Armature lever 17 is pivotally connected tothe adjacent end of member 15 at a point 22 between the ends of said lever and is constantly urged to swing in one directionabout the pivot 18 by means of the adjustable tension spring 23. It will be seenthat movement of the armature lever under the influence of the spring tension will cause a compression of the carbon diskswith a consequent decrease of resistance in the lamp circuit.

The spring 23 is so' adjusted and the various parts so formed and proportioned that, with a predetermined current flowing through the coil 21, the spring pull is accurately balanced, throughout the stroke of the arm 17, against the magnet pull and the force required 'to compress the carbon disks, so that the armature lever may be placed in any position throughout its stroke and will remain there, thus maintaining the resistance at any attained value. In order, however, to render this action more certain, a magnetic brake is supplied, comprising a piece of steel or iron rod 24 held movably against the side of the pole, piece 20 by means of a suitable bracket or socket member 25. The member 24 is free to move longitudinally, and when the apparatus is in service its hardened end is held against the face of the armature 19 by the magnetic pull, thus introducing a constant mechanical friction, which resists the movement of'the lever 17, with the result that considerable unbalancing of the spring pull and magnetic pull must occur before the lever 17 will be moved in either direction. The mag- ,net coil 21 may be connected to any source of current having "substantially constant. po-

tential, but in the present embodiment, it is.

connected in a shunt across the lamp circuit so as to be influenced by the lamp potential. The circuit through the coil is from the main 3, by Wires 26 and 27, through the coil 21, wire 28, resistances 29 and 30 to wire 31, thenceto the main 2. The amount of current flowing through the magnet is controlled by means of a solenoid 32 connected to one side of the lamp circuit by wire 31 and to the other side thereof by the conductor 33, which comprises a resistance 34.

35 is a lever pivoted substantially at its center of mass, as at 36, and havin one of its arms pivotally connected, as at 3 to the movable core 38 of the solenoid 32. An adjustable spring 39 is secured to the lever so as to oppose the pull of the solenoid and,

member 40 adapted Whenthe lever is moved in one direction by the solenoid, to engagea contact member 41, and when said lever 1s rocked in-the other direction under the influence of the-spring 39, to engage a second contact member 42. The contact member 40 has an electrical connection by means of wire 43 with wire 28, a portion of this connection being flexible, as at 44, to facilitate the movement of the contact member. From traversed by a. current at normal voltage,

ordinarily the armature 17 will stand in the position shown and the lever 35 will also occupy the position shown with the contact member 40 disposed between and out of contact with either 41 or 42. Now, if the voltage of the lamp circuit should rise sufliciently, the pull of the solenoid '32 of the relay will increase and move the contact 40 until it engagesv contact 41. The circuit through coil 21 will then be as follows: from main 3 through wires 26, 27, coil 21, wires 28, 43, contacts 40 and 41, wire 45, resistance 30 and wire 31 to the main lead 2.

,VVith these connections the resistance 29 is shunted out of the'magnet circuit, increas-:

normal current will be flowing through the magnet 21 and the parts are properlypro portioned to that end, the armature will remain in the position reached, holding the attain d resistance valuein the lamp circult.

1t willbe noted that the solenoid'32 doesnot act until, the ;"voltage has reached a certain value, and then after the contact 15 ,made between members 40 and '41 the current flowing through the magnet coil. 21 will be greatly augmented. Until this point is reached and this effect produced there will be no movement of the armature 19 for the slight increase in 'current due to the increase in voltage of the lamp circuit is not suflicient to overcome the balance of the parts, which is rendered more stable by the retardlng action of the magnetic brake. If the voltage of the lamp circuit should fall, the pull of the solenoid 32 of the relaywill decrease, permitting spring 39 to move conby compressing the shall be interpretedas illustrative and nottact 40 into engagement with contact 42.

The circuit through the magnet coil 21 will then be as follows: the main 3,wires 26 and 27, coil 21, wire 28 to the point 48 and also through wire 46, resistance 47, contact 42, contact 40, and wire 43 to the point 48, whence the current flows as before through resistances 29 and 30 and wire 31 to the main lead 2. It will be seen that resistance 47 is connected in shunt with coil 21 and the two in series with resistances 29 and 30 across the lamp circuit. The current'through coil 21 will decrease and the armature 19 will move up under the action of the spring 23 to decrease the resistance in the lamp circuit carbon pile, until the voltage shall return to normal, when the contact 40 will again move into mid-position between contacts 41 and 42 and the resistance of the carbon pile will again be held at the value attained.

It will accordingly be seen that in following out this invention cheap, simple and durable apparatus may be constru'cted'which will attain, among others, all of the ends and objects hereinbefore set forth and which in operation will be characterized by certainty of action combined with accuracy and 'sensitiveness;

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings in a limiting sense.

It'is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of lan guage, might'be said to fall therebetween.

aving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means adapted with a given current value, a plurality of circuits, each including said means, and electrically controlled means adapted selectively to render eflective said circuits, the circuit selected depending upon th value. of the function to be regulated.

2. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means adapted with a given current to maintain said resistance at any attained value, a plurality of circuits, each including said means, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render at any attained effective said circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance, means comprising an electro magnet adapted to hold said resistance at 4. In potential regulating apparatus, in

combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a toggle adapted to vary the pressure upon said medium, means comprising an electromagnet adapted to coact with said first means in holding said medium at any stage of compression with a given current through said magnet, a plurality of circuits each in-' cluding said magnet, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render effective said circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

5. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a toggle adapted to vary the compression of said medium, a spring tending to urge said toggle in one direction, an electro-magnet tending to urge said toggle in the other direction, said parts being formed and proportioned to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a certain predetermined current flowing through said mag-.

net, a plurality of circuits each including stage of compression with a certain predetermined current flowingthrough said magnet, a plurality'of circuits each including said magnet, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render effective said circuits,'the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

7;"In potential regulating apparatus, in

combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means comprising a regulating coil adapted with a given current to maintain said resistance at any attained value, a. plurality of circuits having difier- 'ent resistance values each including said coil, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render effective said circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

8. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means comprising a regulating coil adapted with a given current, to maintain said resistance at any attained value, a circuit leading through said coil, and potential controlled means adapted selectively with abnormal potential to shunt aportion of said'circuit or to shunt a portion of the current about said coil.

9. In potential regulating apparatus, in

combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means comprising a regulating coil adapted with a given current to maintain said resistance at any attained value, a circuit including artificial resistance and leading through said coil, and potential controlled means adapted selectively with" a portion of said resistance, a third circuit including artificial resistance and forming a shunt about said coil, and potential controlled means adapted as the potential rises to close said second circuit and as the potential falls to close said third circuit.

11. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means comprising a regulating coil adapted with a given current to maintain said resistance at any attained value, a circuit'leading through'said coil, a contact member electrically connected to said circuit, a pair of contact members disposed on opposite sides of and normally out of engagement with said first contact member, electrical connections between each of said pair of contact members and said circuit, a solenoid connected to measure the potential to be regulated and adapted with a rise of potential to move said first contact member into engagement with one of said pair to shunt out a portion of said circuit and with a fall of potential to move the same into engagement with the other of said pair to shunt a portion of the current about said coil.

' 12. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance, means comprising an electro-magnet tending to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a given current through said magnet, and a magnetic brake adapted to insure the proper action of said first Ineans.

13. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, a toggle adapted to vary the pressure upon said medium, an armature associated with said toggle, an electro-magnot adapted to coact with said armature in holding said medium at any stage of compression with a given current througlw said magnet, and a magnetic brake adapted to offer resistance to movement of said armature.

14. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a toggle adapted to vary the compression of said medium, a spring tending to urge said toggle in one direction, an electro-magnet tending to urge said toggle in the other direction, and a member adapted to be influenced by the magnetic pull to resist movement of said .toggle in either direction, said parts being formed and proportioned to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a certain predetermined current flowing through said magnet.

15. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a variable resistance, electrically controlled means adapted with a given current to maintain said resistance at any attained Value,'a magnetic brake for resisting the operation of said means, a plurality of circuits, each including said electrically controlled means, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render efiective said circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

16. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance, means comprising an electromagnet adapted to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a given current through said magnet, a member adapted to coact with said magnet to aid in holding said compressiom-a plurality of circuits each including said magnet, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render efiectivesaid circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

17. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a tog-' "gle adapted to vary the pressure upon said medium, means comprising an electro-magnet adapted-to coact with said first means in holding said medium at any stage of circuits, the circuit selected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

18. In potential. regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a toggle adapted to vary the compression of said medium, aspring tending to urge said toggle in one direction, an electro-magnet tending to urge said toggle in the other direction, a member adapted to be influenced by the magnetic pull to resist movement of said toggle in either direction, said parts being formed and proportioned to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a certam predeterm ned current flowing through said magnet, a plurality of circuits each including said ma et, and potential controlled means adapted selectively to render eifective said circuits, the circuit se lected depending upon the potential to be regulated.

19. In potential regulating apparatus, in

combination, a source of current, a current utilizing dev ce bridged across the mains of said source of current, a variable resistance device operatively related to saidsource of current to vary the voltage across said mains, an electro-magnet normally connected to be excited by a substantially constant current, means. adapted to coact with said magnet to maintain said resistance at any attained value with a given current through said'magnet, and means shunted across said mains upon the current utilizing device side of said variable resistance adapted to be electrically controlled selectively with abnormal potential to shunt a portion of said magnet circuit or to shunt about said mag net a portion of the current flowing in said a circuit.

20. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a source of current, a translation device bridged across the mains from said source of current, a potential controlled variable resistance medium connected in series with said translation device, means comprising an electro-magnet adapted to hold said resistance at any stage of compression with a circuit including artificial resistance and leading through said magnet, and potential controlled means connected to measure the potential impressed upon said translation device and adapted selectively with abnormal potential to shunt a portion of said artificial resistance or to shunt a portion of the current about said magnet.

21. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a source ofcurrent, a translation device bridged across the mains from said source of current, a potential controlled variable resistance medium connected in series with said translation device, means comprising an electro-magnet adapted to hold said resistance at any stage of compressionsolenoid given current through said magnet, a

potential to shunt a portion of said arti-' ficial resistance or to shunt a portion of the current about said magnet. I

22. In potential regulating apparatus, in COInbillatiOn, a constant-potential source of current, a translation device connectedand adapted to be supplied with current from said source,'a compressible pile resistance device connected in series with said translation device, means comprising a toggle adapted to compress said pile, an electromagnet normally excited by a substantially constant current, artificial resistance in the magnet circuit, a solenoid connected to measure the potential at said translation device, resistance means in a shunt about said magnet, and means controlled by said.

and adapted with a rise in said potential to shunt out a portion of the resistance in said magnet circuit and with a fall in said potential to close said shunt about said magnet.

'23. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a constant-potential source of current, a translation device connected and adapted to be supplied with current from said source, a compressible pile resistance device connected in series with said translation device,- means comprising a toggle adapted to compress said pile, resilient means tending to urge said toggle in one direction to compress said resistance, an electro-magnet adapted to urge said toggle in the other direction, a plurality of circuits alternatively connected to excite said magnet, and means controlled by the potential at said translation device adapted selectively ;to render said circuits efiective whereby the excltlng current forsaid magnet is ausaid source, a compressible pile resistance device connected in series with said translation device, means comprising a toggle adapted to compress said pile, resilient means tending to urgesa-id toggle in one direction to compress said resistance and an electro-magnet adapted to urge said toggle in the other direction, a plurality of circuits adapted to be alternatively connected to excite said magnet, means controlled by the potential at said translation device adapted selectively to render said circuits effective whereby the exciting current for said magnet is automatically varied in accordance with fluctuations of said potential, and a magnetic brake adapted constantly to resist movement of said toggle.

25. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, a toggle adaptedto vary the pressure upon said medium, an armature associated with said toggle, and an electromagnet adapted to coact with said armature in holding said medium at any stage of compression with a given current through said magnet.

26. In regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means adapted to vary the pressure upon said medium, an armature associated with said means, and an electromagnet adapted to coact'with said armature in holding saidmediumat any stage of compression with a given current through said magnet.

27. In potential regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, means comprising a toggle adapted to vary the compression of said medium, a spring tending to urge said toggle in one direction, and an electromagnet tending to urgesaid toggle in the other direction, said parts being formed and proportioned'to hold said resistance at anystage of compression with a certain predetermined current flowing through said magnet.

28. In potential regulating apparatus, in

combination,a pressure controlled variable retions of pressure upon said medium corresponding to the variations of mechanical resistance to compression offered by said medium, an armature associated with said means, and an electromagnet adapted to 00-- act with said armature to hold said medium at any stage of compression with a given current passing through said magnet.

30. In car lighting regulating apparatus, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance, and means to vary the pres-- able resistance, and means to vary the pressure upon said resistance, comprising a voltage responsive electro-magnet, an armature therefor and a' variable leverage connection between said armature and said resistance cooperable to hold the latter at any one of a plurality of stages of compression with a given current traversing said magnet.

32. Regulating apparatus comprising, in combination, a pressure controlled variable resistance medium, a movable plate engaging one end of said medium, means including .a toggle adjustably connected to said plate for varying the compression of said medium, a spring tending to urge said toggle in one direction, an armature associated with said toggle, and an electro-magnet cooperating with said armature to urge said toggle in the other direction, said parts being formed and proportioned to hold said resistance at'subst'antially any stage of compression with a given current traversing said electro-magnet.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

RALPH W. ARMSTRONG.

Witnesses JoHN T. CLARK, 

